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CHRIST’S
TEACHINGS SUPPORT CAPITALISM
Many
socialists and other liberals build a straw-man argument and
then attack it by contending that Christ condemned private
ownership, money, and the making of money. This article will
show from the Bible that Christ and His Word give full support
to these elements of capitalism.
What is
capitalism and how does it differ from socialism? Capitalism is
an economic system based on a free market with open competition,
and includes the elements of private ownership, profit motive,
and private ownership of the means of production. Capitalism
encourages private investment by individuals as opposed to
socialism, which is a centrally, government-controlled economy.
It advocates state ownership and control of the means of
production and distribution of goods.
Scripture
supports the concept of private property rights. Exodus 20: 15
and 17 are absolutely clear on this point. Here we have the Ten
Commandments, which were written on two tablets of stone by the
finger of God, Himself (Exodus 31:18). The first four of these
commandments address man’s relationship to his Creator, and the
last six focus on man’s relationship to his fellowman. If we
love God, one way we show that love is by obeying the first four
commandments; if we love our fellowman, we show this by
observing the last six commandments.
The eighth commandment states: “Thou shall not steal.” We
cannot steal from a neighbor if that neighbor owns nothing.
Therefore, the clear implication is that the neighbor has the
right of ownership. Continuing in verse 17, the tenth
commandment reads in part: “Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's
house, thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife …, nor anything
that is thy neighbor's.” Here, the individual’s right to
ownership is clearly spelled out; another person is not to
infringe upon that right!
Not only is
the foundation for capitalism laid in the Ten Commandments of
the Old Testament, but the New Testament is just as emphatic and
assertive in this matter as is the Old Testament.
Christ
often taught in parables, short stories that carried a clear
moral message. One of these parables in found in Matthew 25:
14-31.
The parable
goes like this: A businessman had to take a long trip;
therefore, he called into his office three of his money
managers. To the first, he gave 5 talents, to the second he
gave two talents, and to the third he gave one talent. One
historical source believes that one talent in Christ’s day was
worth approximately $1,150,000.00. Therefore, we can see that
the business man was talking real money when he gave these three
men money to manage. The owner of the business desired that
these three men expand the funds given them.
When the
business man returned from his trip, he called the three money
managers into his office and asked them to report on how their
investing went. The first man doubled the initial amount; the
second man doubled the initial amount; and the third man simply
sat on his funds, without investing them.
When payday
came for the first and second money managers, the business owner
rewarded them handsomely. However, the manager who did not
increase his funds, was dismissed, fired!
The meaning
of this parable is clear. When God gives us talents, money,
abilities, time, or whatever asset, He expects us to develop
those talents. If we don’t, He will reject us in the judgment.
1 Timothy
6:10 tells us that the “LOVE” of money is the root of all evil.
Money isn’t evil, but loving it more than we love our Heavenly
Father is a sin because we are making money our god. Anything
that we allow to come between us and God is our god.
Yes, even
though many socialists and communists would try to make us
believe that capitalism is evil, the Scriptures teach just the
opposite. In this life, we are responsible for expanding any
talents that God loans to us for a time; yes, this
responsibility includes the talent of being a good business
manager!
“The
love of money is the root of all evil! The wise investment
of money is required, even praised, by our Master, Jesus Christ!
___________________
Written by:
Dr. Fillmer Hevener, Pastor, Guthrie Memorial Chapel
224 Mohele Road, Farmville, Va. 23901
(434) 392-6255
www.guthriememorial.org
8-28-09
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